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Chapter 05
The only sound repeating in the office was the crisp rustling of paper.
Ju-young, who had arrived early in the morning and buried herself in piles of documents all day, suddenly lifted her head at the sound of a knock.
“President. This is Secretary Shin.”
“Come in.”
With permission granted, the office door opened. Secretary Shin stepped inside, holding a tablet PC.
Ju-young, having organized the documents she was reviewing, asked,
“What’s the matter?”
Secretary Shin placed the tablet PC on the desk and reported,
“The chairman has signed the contract.”
On the day of the family meal, Ju-young had returned home and immediately drafted the contract. She had learned at a very young age that the best way to prevent rumors was to put everything in writing.
“Is that so?”
Ju-young tapped the tablet screen and entered the password. The unlocked screen displayed the contract with Chairman Choi Kwon-yong’s signature. While some clauses had been added or revised during the exchange of the contract, the key points remained the same:
[Party B must get married within one year. The marriage partner must be one of those designated by Party A.]
Of course, Party B was Choi Ju-young, and Party A was Chairman Choi Kwon-yong.
[If Party B gets married within one year, Party A will transfer the ownership of the promised “Oido Summer Villa” to Party B.]
[If Party B later divorces, the ownership of the “Oido Summer Villa” will revert to Party A, unless the divorce is not the fault of Party B.]
Really… it was either lucky that his intentions were clear, or disgusting in their blatant nature. Chairman Choi intended to use his only child, Ju-young, for business.
In that world, this was common. What did love matter when creating wealth that could be worth billions or trillions?
But…
“You’re not even human. How could you threaten me with the Oido villa to that woman?”
Knowing exactly what the Oido Summer Villa meant to Ju-young, Choi Kwon-yong used it as a weapon to control her. He knew she wouldn’t give it up.
“What a cunning human being.”
In the end, she was still trapped in her father’s grasp.
Sighing, Ju-young checked the contract one last time, then handed the tablet back to Secretary Shin.
“What do you think is the best choice from the list he picked, Secretary Shin?”
“I….”
Secretary Shin hesitated to answer. Ju-young knew why and blew out a breath.
Leaning her heavy head on her clasped hands on the desk, she placed her forehead on the makeshift stand.
The list Chairman Choi had prepared for potential sons-in-law contained four names. All were children of groups ranked in the top ten of the domestic business world.
If there was a problem, one was recently involved in a drug scandal, one had a notorious reputation with women, and another already had a three-year-old daughter.
“I know. The best option for me is that man.”
The fourth and final person on the list was Bae Sung-hoon—the man Ju-young never wanted to be involved with again.
“Even if I want to avoid it, it has to be that man…”
Sigh.
Ju-young could only sigh repeatedly, unsure how to handle the situation. If she had known she would be entangled with him like this, she wouldn’t have acted the way she did that day.
“What about the jacket I asked to be dry-cleaned?”
“It has been cleaned, and we’ve contacted you via the secretariat that it will be delivered today.”
“Bring it now.”
“You’ll… go with me?”
“The dry cleaning was entrusted to Secretary Shin, but I should handle the delivery myself.”
Ju-young stood, slipping off her slippers and putting on 7cm high heels.
She had lived her life having everything taken from her. Both the man on paper as her father and his cohabitant were nothing but plunderers.
But this time, she refused to be robbed. She would not give up, no matter what.
Arriving at Sungwoon Hotel, Ju-young was recognized by Bae Sung-hoon’s secretary in the lobby and guided to his office.
“You may enter.”
“Thank you.”
Ju-young gave a slight nod to the secretary, who bowed properly, then pushed open the office door. Sunlight poured in, as if scolding her for taking so long to open it. She blinked against the brightness, then slowly raised her eyelids once her eyes adjusted.
With the sun at his back, Bae Sung-hoon’s face wasn’t fully visible, but his broad shoulders and model-like frame were unmistakable.
“See you again.”
Noticing the sunlight was dazzling, Sung-hoon pressed a button on the remote, adjusting the blinds to partially block the glare.
Finally, Ju-young could look at him comfortably. As in their previous meetings, he was impeccably groomed.
Dark, slightly arched eyebrows; hair styled back only on the right front, giving a fresh impression; a sharp jawline and nose, with lips slightly full, adding a touch of youthful charm.
“Yes… see you again.”
“I don’t need any preparation. What would you like to drink, Choi Ju-young?”
“I’m fine too.”
“Okay. Then wait outside; no drinks are needed.”
“Yes, sir.”
The door clicked shut. Sung-hoon gestured to the sofa in the center of the office.
“Sit.”
Ju-young sat first; he followed, taking the seat opposite her. Sitting across from him, his gaze met hers directly—an imposing look.
She wanted to avoid it if she could. Closing her eyes brought back vivid memories of that day. What should she say? How should she bring up the marriage topic?
Before she could gather her thoughts, Sung-hoon spoke.
“How did the urgent meeting go?”
Ju-young flinched. There was no meeting that day. She had simply been uncomfortable from the rain and wanted to clean up, but Bae Sung-hoon’s presence stirred her. That’s why she went up to the hotel room with him and then came out after showering—leaving the black underwear he wanted her to wear behind.
“I apologize for that day. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It was unpleasant but… entertaining.”
Leaning on the armrest, he fiddled with his lips while keeping his black pupils on her.
“It was my first time experiencing something like that.”
Ju-young had nothing to say. If asked to comply, she would. If he was displeased, she would have to apologize a hundred times over.
“Let me rephrase—”
“Why did you want to see me today?”
She had expected to apologize several more times until he softened, but he suddenly changed the subject. Ju-young hesitated, then placed a large shopping bag she had at her feet on the table.
“I came to return the clothes I borrowed before.”
His dark eyes followed the bag briefly, then looked away.
“You didn’t come personally just to return clothes, did you?”
As expected of Bae Sung-hoon. He immediately read her intentions.
Ju-young decided to be direct.
“I’m not good at beating around the bush. I don’t like it either. So I want to speak directly—is that okay?”
“Not like you to be so long-winded at the start.”
Sung-hoon leaned back on the sofa, crossing his long legs, avoiding the table. Propping his chin on the back of his hand, he studied her with his strangely darkened pupils.
“I don’t know what it is, but go ahead. I’ll decide after hearing it.”
“Of course.”
Ignoring his casual tone, Ju-young smiled slightly and placed her hands on her lap.
“Bae Sung-hoon.”
“…”
“Will you marry me?”
